Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
(iTongresa vi t4e Ilniteb StatesWaa4ingtnn, ~JQt 22515
October 10 2012
The Honorable Kathleen SebeliusSecretaryUnited States Department of Health and Human Services200 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20201
Dear Secretary Sebelius:
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (UHEAP) is a vital safety net formany low-income families, especially for our elderly, our disabled, and our veterans. Asstate agencies prepare their LIHEAP programs for the coming winter, it is imperative thatthe Department of Health and Human Services immediately release as much LIHEAPfunding as possible under the current continuing resolution (CR).
As you know, spending patterns for LIHEAP assistance are not consistent throughout thefiscal year. Instead, the majority of assistance in many states is distributed during thewinter months to offset high home heating costs. Many state governors have alsoprojected that delays in LIHEAP funding would result in families across the countryhaving unmet heating needs this winter. As you are also aware, low-income familiesspend a higher percentage of their income on energy costs. This is especially true duringtimes of extreme temperatures and increased energy prices. October marks the beginningof the coldest months for many families, and with continued elevated levels ofunemployment across our states, this year’s heating season will be an even greaterstruggle. The timing is crucial for the release of the majority of LIHEAP funding.
Accordingly, we believe it is critical that the states begin the process of assisting thoseindividuals with the greatest needs immediately. We request that you release as muchLIHEAP funding as possible under the current CR without delay, in order to allow statesand low-income households the resources they need to prepare for a challenging winter.With forecasts for above-normal snowfall for all major 1-95 cities, including New YorkCity, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, the timing is critical.
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Page 2October 10,2012LIHEAP Letter to HHS
Thank you for your continued support of the LIHEAP program and for yourconsideration of this request.
Sincerely,
ItnA ~- r—~
Steven C. LaTourette
Nes P. McGov;
frank
/4~/
Che Üeiingree
“nj’1,.Brian Higgins”
/Edward 3.
John Dingell
Hf~‘opher
~Loebsack
Jp Li~~David Cicilline
Page 3October 10,2012LIHEAP Letter to HHS
Michael E. Capuano
~áchaufrA~
/‘p
hris Van Hollen
/1
Diana DeGette
LJohn Lewis
p
John Tierney
F,
I
Louise S1~ughter
//äuriceHinchey a
Mike Doyle
~Gutiene~~
/%&44LStep enF. n
M Critz
John A. armuth
IiNiki Tsongas 1w Olver
Page 4October 10,2012LIHEAP Letter to HHS
a. b.4
Ra iGrijalva ‘4
Richard E. Neal
4LtwwVevLWilliam R. Keating
ii Schakowsky
Hansen Clar e
a
Joe
40
6- A I.’ -‘
Dutch Ruppe ~ rger
ICharles B.
MtS~Carolyn cCarthy
cLL jottRush D. Holt
Page 5October 10,2012LIHEAP Letter to HHS
Lou Barletta
At,.. rDonna Edwards
Eleanor Holmes
S~ty Peters
flfr~ARick Larsen
‘adler
heila ~i’on Lee
Marcia L. Fudge
Frank C. Guinta
Michael fyi Honda
Henry C “Hank” .hnson, Jr
SA
Steve Cohen
/
JeffoId
/11
• ITichael 0. Or’
I/-. A—cee L. astings
I
7/.
PerTJ g
A
Page 6October 10, 2012LIHEAP Letter to HHS
es P. Moran Todd Russell Plans
Mike Quigley ura Ric . ‘son
~Ja1AJ ~onAltmire
7~Cdrscoeo. :.
Carolyn : Maloney
Bo.y . ush
S£/ LoreitA anch
‘ai’t
Betty •/ on
Ivy‘7 Aa~
Robert c. “C~ bby” Scott
Ron Barber
Charles F. Bass Bishop, Jr.
Page 7October 10, 2012LIHEAP Letter to HHS
%iiCL~enme G. Thompson
A 4Ai..A
Dennis J. ~ c• ich
Rosa DeLauro
Dale E. Kildee
tre Reyes
Conyers,
IiRobert*
/~ ‘4”
Brady
___
Gwen
William Owens
4r~~ttt &ias.~j
St?anne Bonamici
Paul D. Tonko
Gerald E. Connolly
Page 8October IQ, 2012LIHEAP Letter to HHS
t __
(jpanue’&- - - Christopher P. Gibson